Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 224: Chapter 8 Under New Management

Dominic’s POV

Tuesday lunch with my mother and Mia turned into an absolute nightmare after the weapons shipment mix-up disaster. The three women wouldn’t stop torturing me about it.

”Dominic, I have something else for you.” I pulled the business card from that gorgeous stranger at the underground arms boutique out of my jacket and handed it to my mother.

”What’s this supposed to be?” Mom examined the card with curiosity.

I explained the whole humiliating encounter at the black market shop, and all three women exploded into giggles like teenagers, practically falling over themselves with laughter. My mother studied the card before passing it to Zoe and Mia. Still wiping tears from her eyes, she delivered her verdict.

”Dominic Frost, I raised you to be a gentleman! Your behavior at that establishment was completely unacceptable. You’re going back there to apologize to that poor dealer, and if you ever cross paths with that young lady again, you’ll apologize to her too.”

”Mom, I’m absolutely not going back to that black market shop to grovel,” I shot back.

”Oh yes, you most certainly are! You’re better than this childish behavior, Dominic. You’re going back because I didn’t raise some arrogant, entitled mobster!” Her tone brooked no argument, and I knew I was defeated.

”Fine, Mom, you’re right,” I conceded, taking her hand. ”Now can you please return that tactical case I accidentally sent you?”

”Absolutely not!” She fired back without hesitation. ”It’s honestly the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever given me. I’m keeping it, and I plan to put it to excellent use for home defense.”

”Mom...” I stared at her in horror.

”What’s your problem, Dominic? Just because she’s your mother means you think she doesn’t need protection? Or maybe you think her age disqualifies her from owning proper security equipment? That’s pure ageism!” Zoe called me out mercilessly.

”Zoe, that’s my mother!” I protested weakly.

”So what? You think the family business doesn’t affect her too?” Zoe mocked.

”You’re acting like a child, Dominic,” Mia chimed in. ”My husband and I love having proper security measures, and when he’s on family business, I handle my own protection.”

”Mia, that’s way too much information.” I buried my face in my hands while all three burst into fresh peals of laughter.

Back at the Zenith Systems offices, Zoe simply labeled me sexist and said I should be ashamed for not recognizing that my mother was a vibrant, beautiful woman who had every right to own tactical equipment and even have a bodyguard. My innocence lay in ruins.

However, I had to admit one truth: Zoe was completely revolutionizing my operations. She decided to call me every morning to drag me out of bed and guarantee my arrival at the office by eight sharp. For several solid days, we’d been maintaining a brutal pace, working late into the evenings on family business.

Wednesday brought office lunch, and Zoe regaled me with stories about her boyfriend, whom she called her prince. She was clearly the dominant force in that relationship; the poor guy probably followed her around like a lovesick puppy. I found myself curious to meet him. Zoe mentioned her friend working with Caleb, but refused to show me any photos.

Early that evening, Xavier called. He’d already mentioned that Caleb was falling hard for his right hand, who was apparently stunning and keeping our Don completely distracted.

”Xavier, how did your day at Thorne Syndicate go?” I answered while Zoe sat across from me, glancing up from her work.

”Man, it was incredible! And the night’s just getting started. We’re taking Heidi and Ivy to dinner. Come join us, bring your intelligence officer.” Xavier’s enthusiasm was infectious.

”That sounds perfect, I’d love to have dinner with you all...” I was mid-sentence when I heard Zoe clear her throat pointedly.

”We still have mountains of laundering reports today, Dominic!” Zoe warned. I rubbed the back of my neck and decided not to push my luck.

”You know what, Xavier, I can’t make it. My handler hasn’t given me permission to leave yet.” Xavier’s laughter exploded through the phone.

”Your handler or your warden?” Xavier was dying with laughter. ”I’m dying to meet Zoe! Finally, someone’s got you on a leash.”

”Yeah, unfortunately for me. And I’m not even sleeping with her.” I commented while watching Zoe, who shot me a dark look.

”Not even in your most delusional fantasies, Dominic.” Zoe replied, and Xavier’s laughter intensified because he’d caught every word.

I said goodbye and hung up. I studied my intelligence liaison, who had her eyes glued to her tablet screen, and decided to test the waters.

”Zoe, exactly how long are you planning to keep me on this tight leash?”

”For the rest of your natural life, Dominic! For the rest of your life!” She didn’t even lift her eyes from the screen.

Thursday brought our meeting at Thorne Syndicate. Beyond friendship, we maintained business partnerships, so regular meetings were essential. Usually our meetings happened over lunch or dinner, often at the Social Union bar, but Zoe had demolished that tradition and scheduled the meeting at Caleb’s legitimate front company.

At least I’d escape my office for a while; I was starting to resemble a vampire from being trapped indoors constantly. And I’d finally meet this mysterious Ivy, although Zoe had warned me countless times not to get any ideas about her. The meeting was scheduled for after lunch, so I at least convinced my deputy to eat at a restaurant en route.

At Caleb’s company, we were escorted directly to the conference room. When Ivy walked in, I was absolutely speechless - she was breathtaking! She and Zoe embraced warmly before Zoe introduced us.

”Zoe, I’m going to have serious words with your father. When he recommended Ms. Ivy for this position at Thorne’s, he failed to mention she was a goddess!”

Ivy flashed me a charming, slightly flustered smile and shook my hand. I hadn’t even registered Caleb’s entrance until his voice boomed like thunder.

”Dominic, keep your hands and eyes off my assistant. Miss Brooks isn’t like those women you typically pursue!”

God, now everyone was critiquing my dating choices. But I detected definite possessiveness in Caleb’s tone. I found it absolutely hilarious; my friend had never displayed such behavior over any woman. I looked from Ivy to Caleb with amusement. I could see he was completely devoted to her. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to torment him.

”Well, well, the untouchable Caleb Thorne is showing jealousy over you, Miss Brooks! How fascinating! But, my dear friend Caleb, I’m not sure I can resist staying away from such beauty.”

”But you’d better stay away, Dominic.” Xavier entered saying. ”You wouldn’t want to provoke our Don’s wrath.” He smiled mockingly, relishing Caleb’s predicament. ”But who’s this lovely lady with you, Dominic?”

”Don’t even attempt it, Xavier. This is Zoe Miller, and besides being Robert’s daughter, she has a boyfriend who looks like he stepped from a fairy tale. In summary, untouchable like Miss Brooks, no wonder they’re best friends,” I answered, rolling my eyes.

”Oh, what a tragedy! But you two could introduce me to a friend as beautiful as yourselves, right? I’m feeling incredibly lonely...” Xavier adopted a pitiful expression that made everyone laugh.

”Good God, Xavier, you have absolutely no shame!” Caleb said in exasperation.

”Unfortunately, we don’t have another super attractive and sweet friend like us to introduce you to, Mr. Black, sorry,” Zoe replied laughing.

Caleb rolled his eyes and ordered us to control our hormones. As if he wasn’t losing his mind over his stunning assistant. It would be tremendously entertaining watching my friend, the most serious and composed of our trio, maintain his unshakeable devotion.

After the meeting, Zoe and I returned to the office, or rather my prison cell. It was beginning to feel like solitary confinement. We were working on money laundering reports when Zoe checked her phone and suddenly addressed me.

”It’s your lucky day, Dominic!” She looked up at me. ”I have to leave. So I’m releasing you early.”

”Wow, what miracle is this, my handler showing mercy?” I joked, but noticed her concern. ”What’s wrong, Zoe? Any problems?”

”I have to go. Max has a fever, and Ivy is taking him to the doctor,” Zoe said, standing and collecting her belongings.

”Who’s Max?”

”Oh, here we go. I’ll keep this brief because I’m pressed for time. Max is Ivy’s son and my godson. He’s still a toddler. Ivy isn’t married, so the father isn’t involved in Max’s life, doesn’t even know Max exists.”

”I understand. Want me to drive you?” I thought it wise not to probe further into family matters.

”No need, I have my armored car.” When she reached the door, she turned back. ”I’m releasing you early today, but I don’t want you arriving late or hungover tomorrow.”

I smiled at how Zoe was already controlling me completely. This was actually beneficial for me. I’d been somewhat careless with the family operations, and I knew I was wrong.